Cowboy Fans....Brace yourselves for 2014.

[Guest050619-1]

Yeah, last night was discouraging, no doubt. Big picture: as fans, we just gotta let this one go and move on.....think about it: several weeks ago the local fan base in tandem with the national press was writing off Tom Brady and the Patriots (after being pummeled on Monday Night Football, week 4, in Kansas City) . Flash forward 4 weeks later and everything's coming up roses once again. In life (and in sports) things are never as good (or bad) as they seem at the time.

It's a long season; we all know that....it's a rollercoaster; there's going to be ups and downs throughout....the best thing to do is stay calm and "enjoy" the season for what it is. Afterall.....no one gave Dallas a chance of being better than 6-10, maybe 5-11 before the start. So far, they've pleasantly surprised all of us. Did we really think they were going to run the table after losing game one to SF?

[Tara Evans]

My boys are gonna kick some booty today

[gntman]

Unfortunately Bandon Weedon was flaccid. It happens to the best of us. LOL!!

[Chainsaw Anthropologist]

Originally Posted by gntman

Unfortunately Bandon Weedon was flaccid. It happens to the best of us. LOL!!

Today you saw the reason even Cleveland had no use for Braindead Weedeater.

[phildo]

I think the cowboy's brain trust sits around all day saying shit like "Hey, here's another one who can't win. We need to get us some of that!"

But then how many teams has Palmer played for and been booted?

I say hand Romo his annuity and send him home, free up some salary cap, get through what's left of the season once again then draft a franchise quarterback with a history of winning big games. Rape, assault, manslaughter and theft convictions optional for Jerry's boys.

[Guest050619-1]

For the record, Carson Palmer has been traded (twice) during his career...."booted" sounds a little more like he was released outright and that's not been the case.

First, in 2011, after refusing to report to Bengals training camp and asking ownership to trade him. Cincy's "cheap repairs" to plug offensive problems for the 2010 season (they signed T.O., remember?) lead to a 4-12 finish. Carson basically had had enough of Mike Brown's mismanagement and simply wanted out of the organization.

After taking Andy Dalton in that April's draft, Bengals traded him midway thru the 2011 season to Oakland for a first round pick and a conditional second rounder.

After the 2012 season, Arizona, needing a qb, negotiated a trade with the Raiders and there you have it. Carson Palmer's not your typical journeyman qb....he could play for a LOT of teams around the NFL. While he can be erratic at times, I'd have to say many of of his passes were pinpoint yesterday.

On the flipside, Weeden's passes were all over the place. He looked tentative and uncertain of himself and lacked that spark as to how to run the offense properly. The two picks he threw were clearly on him. Poorly placed....he looked exactly like he did during his short stint in Cleveland and in every preseason game we saw him in this summer.

Personally speaking, he has does not have an NFL arm and yesterday's game was a clear example of why Dallas should have never tendered him a contract in the first place. The mobile Colt McCoy would have been a much better choice for the Cowboys. He'd been a backup in San Fran last season, if you'll recall.

As far as releasing Romo, you might want to check that; I don't think it'll clear up the salary cap space you're suggesting. It would throw Dallas back into Cap Hell once again.

Nonetheless, drafting a "franchise quarterback" requires timing and proper position.....neither of which I doubt will happen for Dallas per the 2015 May draft. Who, playing this season at the collegiate level, might one suggest the Cowboys take? I don't see an Andrew Luck, a Peyton Manning or a Tom Brady starting for anyone out there for any colleges today.

Finding that "franchise quarterback" is not quite as easy as it looks. The first two names I mentioned (Luck....Manning) it took Indy having the worst record in the NFL both times. I doubt Jerry wants to bite the bullet and allow this thing to melt down completely to achieve that. And to get a "Tom Brady" in the 6th round? lol....good luck with that!

Originally Posted by phildo

But then how many teams has Palmer played for and been booted?

I say hand Romo his annuity and send him home, free up some salary cap, get through what's left of the season once again then draft a franchise quarterback with a history of winning big games. Rape, assault, manslaughter and theft convictions optional for Jerry's boys.

[Boltfan]

Originally Posted by phildo

I think the cowboy's brain trust sits around all day saying shit like "Hey, here's another one who can't win. We need to get us some of that!"

But then how many teams has Palmer played for and been booted?

I say hand Romo his annuity and send him home, free up some salary cap, get through what's left of the season once again then draft a franchise quarterback with a history of winning big games. Rape, assault, manslaughter and theft convictions optional for Jerry's boys.

Cause Tebow did so well. Funny how, to some, it is as easy as drafting a franchise QB. Like they grow on trees.

[Guest050619-1]

The NFL is a funny game, ya know....one day you can be touted as the Best Team in the League (ie: see Dallas 3 weeks ago). And, on the other hand, the pundits can lay claim you're time has simply come and gone (ie: see Tom Brady & the New England Pats roughly 6 weeks ago; post the MNF drubbing in KC).

It's a week-to-week league and a team just has to find ways to tune out the static that comes from the fans, media, etc. Otherwise, it'll drive them to becoming the Raiders....or Jets.....

I make mention of this because the 6-3 Cleveland Browns, who dominated the Bengals (in Cincinnati) this past Thursday evening is the exact same team that lost 24-6 only three scant weeks ago to Dallas' opponent today....the Jacksonville Jags. That victory by the way is the Jags lone W for the season.

What does that say about today's game in London? Absolutely nothing. Again, each game....each matchup has it's own personality. One just never knows if a team is going to "show up" or....not. Ask San Fran about that (last Sunday) when the hapless Rams came to town.

We all know Romo is dinged up and plans to play. As to "how long" he holds up depends solely as to whether the Cowboy's O-line learned anything from the past two games (see the results from playing blitz-happy Washington and Arizona, who both silenced the Dallas offense.)

If Dallas wants to get back on track (starting today) they need to turn the tables and put 7 - 8 in the box versus rookie qb, Blake Bortles and make his life absolutely miserable. If they decide to go "vanilla' on defense, Bortles (64% completion rate) might look for the Cowboy wearing jersey number 39 (Brandon Carr) and throw to the receiver he's "covering". Carr's attempting (and succeeding) to duplicate the cover techniques of MIA cb, Mo Claiborne.

[slims099]

I hope we win today...

[Guest050619-1]

Hmmm....Tony, 3 TD's in the first half; two of them to Dez. Looks good so far....

[Guest050619-1]

I posted the below quote on October 3rd.....obviously a lot has happened since that date.

Today the Cowboys stand 7-3 (a half game behind Philly who hosts Carolina tomorrow evening, MNF). The Giants just got plowed today in Seattle to fall to 3-6.....and with the Niners coming to town next Sunday, it's starting to get away from them. I don't mention the Skins 'cause...well, they're a mess.

Philly gets to travel to Green Bay next Sunday while the Cowboys cool back and enjoy their BYE week. Considering how Green Bay dismantled the Bears this evening, the Iggles could be in for a real treat next week.

With Dallas and Philly scheduled to see one another twice over the final 6 weeks, it's about to get real interesting. My interest is two fold: can Romo's back hold up......and can Philly's back up (qb) Mark Sanchez keep the Iggles on track?

Originally Posted by Chateau Becot

For the record, the month prior to Dallas' game at NY, the Giants have this run of games:

@ Dallas
Indianapolis (Mon Night)
@ Seattle
San Francisco

Looks like fun, huh?

[Guest050619-1]

Well, thanks to FIVE San Fran picks of Eli Manning, I'd say that pretty much Deep-Sixes the Giants for 2014. Say goodnight, New York; you're season is officially over. Ditto for the Redskins.....the pitiful Tampa Bay Bucs slid into Washington today and slapped RG3 and the 'Skins all day long.

The NFC East belongs to either the Cowboys or Iggles this season. I see the Packers are wearing their "throw back" uni's today.....let's hope they do the Boys a big favor and treat Philly to an ol' fashion Vince Lombardi / Bart Starr style butt-kicking today. Should be an entertaining game.....

[threepeckeredbillygoat]

The boys are tied for first in the NFC east with the Eagles.

I never thought the season would go like it has this year. I was totally fooled. But hey, I'll take it. And keep hoping for the best. GO COWBOYS !!!

I just have to post this again.

[threepeckeredbillygoat]

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[Guest050619-1]

Originally Posted by dallasfan

Dateline: AUGUST 18
I think we surprise this year.

It's all about staying healthy. The offense looks unstoppable.
I actually think this year's defnese will actually be better.

Giants looks as bad at pass protection as they were last year and their defense keeps getting older.

In mid-August, I started bellyaching plenty about the impending gloom and doom of the upcoming Cowboys season (I'd predicted a 5-11; perhaps 6-10 season)....I'd like to point out I was wrong....and that others (DallasFan in particular) had other ideas as to what might happen (per his quotes above).

I pulled those thoughts forward simply because after the first 10 games, The Cowboys are now knocking on the door of (potentially) doing something few of us barely thought possible: finish above .500....or make the playoffs?....and, better yet, be seeded in the top two (ie: get a first round bye)?...and, in addition to all of that, be healthy and firing on all cylinders come "tournament time"?

The Cowboys begin a stretch where they'll play 4 of their final 6 regular season games on the road. As it stands, Dallas is the only team left in the NFL with an unblemished road record (4-0). One of those victories, as you'll recall, was in Seattle (who is currently 4-1 at home). Another was in St Louis after falling behind early to the Rams, 21-0 (thought initially not to be a really big deal however.....ask the Denver Broncos what their thoughts are on that after last Sunday).

Anyways....we'll find out starting this Sunday evening (at the NY Giants) if Da Boys are true Road Warriors....then a quick turnaround game back at home four days later on Turkey Day (vs the Philly Iggles)..... then a potential "trap game" the following Thursday night, Dec 4th, in Chicago......basically 3 games in only 12 days; not an easy task by any means.

Dallasfan said it best: "It's all about staying healthy." No doubt about it!

If he Cowboys can avoid the injury bug during this part of their schedule, they have a great opportunity at hand. The teams they are playing ALL have multiple defensive injuries and plenty of issues....more than I can list at this writing. While the Cowboys are no where close to being a perfect team, they do have something going for them in each of these contests: an O-line that has few if any equal to it and a running attack that has been gaining confidence all season long.

Dallas and Philadelphia begin WEEK 12 tied for the NFC East lead, both 7-3.....they play one another twice in a three week span and the outcome of those will go a long ways in deciding the division.

Stay tuned....lotsa football left before it's all said and done.
Hopefully come Dec 29th, we're not left saying "Same ol' Cowboys...."